Which Motherboard can perform better P67 and Z68
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nordlead
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There really is no difference for a strictly gaming machine.
Both the P67 & Z68 can handle the new Ivy Bridge processors when they come out and they can both do PCIe3.0. Neither can do native USB3.0 support. The only benefits of Z68 over P67 is integrated video (quick sync) and the Intel Smart Response Technology (SSD caching).
Get whatever one fits your budget better unless you want quick sync support. Personally I wouldn't get anything above the ASRock Extreme4 Gen3 (Z or P since it comes in both flavors), so I'd spend about $200 max on a motherboard. Most motherboards above that level come with features you'll probably never use, like an extra Gb Ethernet port, 3 extra PCIe slots, 4 extra SATAIII ports (only useful if you have 6 total SSDs), and so on. You'd be better off putting the money into other parts of the PC. The only exception would be if you knew you'd actually need a specific feature like 3-way SLI/Crossfire.
Both the P67 & Z68 can handle the new Ivy Bridge processors when they come out and they can both do PCIe3.0. Neither can do native USB3.0 support. The only benefits of Z68 over P67 is integrated video (quick sync) and the Intel Smart Response Technology (SSD caching).
Get whatever one fits your budget better unless you want quick sync support. Personally I wouldn't get anything above the ASRock Extreme4 Gen3 (Z or P since it comes in both flavors), so I'd spend about $200 max on a motherboard. Most motherboards above that level come with features you'll probably never use, like an extra Gb Ethernet port, 3 extra PCIe slots, 4 extra SATAIII ports (only useful if you have 6 total SSDs), and so on. You'd be better off putting the money into other parts of the PC. The only exception would be if you knew you'd actually need a specific feature like 3-way SLI/Crossfire.
hiimnickwhoareu
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Too much ram, 16GB is extreme overkill, same with your HDD, it's almost impossible to use 3Tb of data.
RussK1
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What? impossible to use 3TB of data? ... are you nuts? I use nearly 2TB; what games are small files? BF3 uses over 20GB alone! between HD movies, videos, pictures, music, apps, games, etc 3TB of storage in reality isn't much.
...and with the prices of RAM right now, there is nothing wrong with 16GB of RAM...
[:russwood1488]
Okcookienc
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There's nothing wrong with getting 16 Gb of RAM. You can certainly get away with 8 Gb, but if you have the cash and just feel like it, by all means get 16 Gb. Good for you.
RetiredChief
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For your intended usagage, they would all perform the same.
(1) I'd go with the Z68 series. While it does have some added features, not sure you will benifit from the improved video encodeing and SRT. BUT what I do Like and the reason I recommend the Z68 is that you can use the IGP. This helps in first build as if no video, you have already alieminated the GPU as a Proble. If the GPU goes out down stream, you can still use the computer using the IGP. Just make sure that the Z68 has an hdmi output connector on back header - some gigabyte MB's do not. Also caught that some Gigabyte Z68 MB's have a problem with SRT, think it's been fixed with a Bios Update.
Granted 16 Gigs is overkill - no performance boost in gaming. But what the heck, it's cheap. I also have 16 gigs ram.
As far as which board to get - Your choice as they all will work.
.. Verify number of Sata II/III slots meets your needs (they all should), same with USB2/3 ports. PCi-e unless you plan on xfire/SLI down stream, one PCI-e x16 slot is fine. To play it safe I'd select 2 X16 slotts (Will only run X8,X8 if both used) as you may change mind on Xfire, or may want to add a x4/x8 card (doughtfull but possible).
.. I'd look at new egg and make sure that negative reviews (1/2 egg) recommendations are not to high.
(1) I'd go with the Z68 series. While it does have some added features, not sure you will benifit from the improved video encodeing and SRT. BUT what I do Like and the reason I recommend the Z68 is that you can use the IGP. This helps in first build as if no video, you have already alieminated the GPU as a Proble. If the GPU goes out down stream, you can still use the computer using the IGP. Just make sure that the Z68 has an hdmi output connector on back header - some gigabyte MB's do not. Also caught that some Gigabyte Z68 MB's have a problem with SRT, think it's been fixed with a Bios Update.
Granted 16 Gigs is overkill - no performance boost in gaming. But what the heck, it's cheap. I also have 16 gigs ram.
As far as which board to get - Your choice as they all will work.
.. Verify number of Sata II/III slots meets your needs (they all should), same with USB2/3 ports. PCi-e unless you plan on xfire/SLI down stream, one PCI-e x16 slot is fine. To play it safe I'd select 2 X16 slotts (Will only run X8,X8 if both used) as you may change mind on Xfire, or may want to add a x4/x8 card (doughtfull but possible).
.. I'd look at new egg and make sure that negative reviews (1/2 egg) recommendations are not to high.
jaquith
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Just 'Gaming' then IMO the P67, the Z68 typically slows other items e.g. USB,SATA, etc; example -> http://www.anandtech.com/show/4330/asus-p8z68v-review/5
Therefore the ASUS P8P67 PRO or Deluxe is a good choice, and for Z68 either the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO or the listed Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD5. The i7-2600K is an excellent choice anf the i7-2700K isn't worth 1 penny more. Also. for gaming 2x4GB DDR3-1600 CAS 8/9 e.g. F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM ; see -> http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram-memory-upgrade,2778-8.html
The 'Level 10 GT' is an expense that would be better severed anywhere else e.g. 120GB SSD. If the plan is to OC both the VP and (1) GTX 570 then I'd look at an 850W PSU e.g. Corsair Enthusiast Series TX850M or Professional Series HX850. The V6 GT is okay (good price) and I'd also take a look at the Thermaltake Frio or maybe the Corsair H100.
Therefore the ASUS P8P67 PRO or Deluxe is a good choice, and for Z68 either the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO or the listed Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD5. The i7-2600K is an excellent choice anf the i7-2700K isn't worth 1 penny more. Also. for gaming 2x4GB DDR3-1600 CAS 8/9 e.g. F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM ; see -> http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram-memory-upgrade,2778-8.html
The 'Level 10 GT' is an expense that would be better severed anywhere else e.g. 120GB SSD. If the plan is to OC both the VP and (1) GTX 570 then I'd look at an 850W PSU e.g. Corsair Enthusiast Series TX850M or Professional Series HX850. The V6 GT is okay (good price) and I'd also take a look at the Thermaltake Frio or maybe the Corsair H100.
RetiredChief
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Jaquith, Is that rather poor performance with USB for the Z68 limited to the Asus Z68 or is it accross the board for Z68 series.
I have the Asrock Z68 Extreme4 (First generation) and had not relly check my USB speeds. Problem could be with the driver which means that it could improve with newer driver. I think all P/Z SB MB use a 3rd party USB chipset. Hopefull the New intel chipset (IB) with native USB3 support will ielimenate the need for a 3rd party Chipset.
I have the Asrock Z68 Extreme4 (First generation) and had not relly check my USB speeds. Problem could be with the driver which means that it could improve with newer driver. I think all P/Z SB MB use a 3rd party USB chipset. Hopefull the New intel chipset (IB) with native USB3 support will ielimenate the need for a 3rd party Chipset.
jaquith
Glorious
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Oddly regarding both USB & SATA, I have seen similar data on other reviews, I just have that one bookmarked. For 'most' folks USB speeds aren't a big concern, but obviously SATA affects everyone. In ASRock you 'can' use the XFast USB/LAN App; personally I am not a lover of BIOS or any form of invasive App - speed up one thing screw-up something else.
Correct, the LGA 1155 next years Panther Point will incorporate USB USB 3.0 natively. So at least you 'should' be able to flash BIOS and have fewer issues. Maybe a speed bump as long as you have a USB with fast 'flash memory' than just simply a fast interface.
Correct, the LGA 1155 next years Panther Point will incorporate USB USB 3.0 natively. So at least you 'should' be able to flash BIOS and have fewer issues. Maybe a speed bump as long as you have a USB with fast 'flash memory' than just simply a fast interface.
RetiredChief
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Yes very picky with Thumdrives as there are considerable difference in performance between the low end and high end ones.
RetiredChief
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Main reason I just stick with the SATA II F3.
Don't like wasting a Good Intel Sata III port on a HDD Just to improve burst rate - need the ports for my SSDs.
Could stick the Sata III on the marvel ports as they are not the better choice for SSds.
Don't like wasting a Good Intel Sata III port on a HDD Just to improve burst rate - need the ports for my SSDs.
Could stick the Sata III on the marvel ports as they are not the better choice for SSds.
jaquith
Glorious
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It depends on the whole picture aka environment what to put where and why.
The Marvell 912X are x1 PCIe lane, shared, and are limited to 360MB/s~390MB/s. In contrast Marvell 918X x2 PCIe lanes and won't bottleneck a single SSD. However, in either type of Marvell chipsets don't mix them with SSD + HDD.
Intel SATA3 or Intel SATA2 the HDD's should operate in the 'real world' the same, but in some instances the larger caches on many SATA3 HDD's is often 'better' utilized on SATA3. Further, Intel SATA ports P67/Z68 the data PCIe lanes don't suffer the same sharing limitations as Marvell so Intel SATA3 vs SATA2 I haven't seen to be a problem (except the B2 recall).
I use SATA3 HDDs in my case in RAID, but I also have an LSI RAID Card x8 with a huge cache -- the large caches look nice on benchmarks. However, the vast majority won't show sustained and random improvements particularly if they repeat the tests and don't cherry pick best and worst to post on the web - which is what most folks shamefully do.
For onboard RAID I still refuse to use Marvell and I know the drivers have gotten better, but I still trust either Intel or a RAID Card.
The Marvell 912X are x1 PCIe lane, shared, and are limited to 360MB/s~390MB/s. In contrast Marvell 918X x2 PCIe lanes and won't bottleneck a single SSD. However, in either type of Marvell chipsets don't mix them with SSD + HDD.
Intel SATA3 or Intel SATA2 the HDD's should operate in the 'real world' the same, but in some instances the larger caches on many SATA3 HDD's is often 'better' utilized on SATA3. Further, Intel SATA ports P67/Z68 the data PCIe lanes don't suffer the same sharing limitations as Marvell so Intel SATA3 vs SATA2 I haven't seen to be a problem (except the B2 recall).
I use SATA3 HDDs in my case in RAID, but I also have an LSI RAID Card x8 with a huge cache -- the large caches look nice on benchmarks. However, the vast majority won't show sustained and random improvements particularly if they repeat the tests and don't cherry pick best and worst to post on the web - which is what most folks shamefully do.
For onboard RAID I still refuse to use Marvell and I know the drivers have gotten better, but I still trust either Intel or a RAID Card.
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